mmmm – the spicy is nice
Get more some hill work in on a HT in big ring and you'll be flying up the hills and not care what bike you are on

Trek Remedy…….
and just to take the piss, I don't want to get my Hardtail out this weekend, so I will be using it at cannock on FTD

I anyone sees me just shout – "OVER BIKED"

Loads of good rides around

try
http://www.mbpost.com/trail/265712/Macclesfield-Forest-Loop-Cheshire-England.html

Was up there last weekend – theres still some snow in places at the top of Macc Forest down to Bottom of the Oven and across the top from Cat and Fiddle pub.

Also have a look on an OS map of the area – some good bridleways down to 3 shires head and of to the roaches or the other way to buxton for some extended riding

Try the Grimey Lymies

http://www.lymeracingclub.co.uk/MTB.html

I've not riden with them, but know a few people that do – they have social rides and do a fair few races.
Good routes round Macc Forest/buxton/Leek – thats not too far away

edit – just seen a post above on the 3 counties ride – looks good and when at the cat and fiddle there are loads of options for some good down hill.

All as the comments above
For me the Ullswater shore path (bridleway) was better technical riding – both ups and downs. Some of the rock steps were fun

Just pick a weekday so you don't encounter loads of walkers – Although when I went every walker I say said a friendly "hello"

Inverse of a field is the sky?
Will the maths above help me decide which new bike I need to buy?

Surely you can wrap up against the cold?

This was me in the summer race (not the bloke in the goggles) Make the temp -2ish or less and you can see how keeping warm can be a problem.
I've not done the winter one and after speaking to my mate – not sure I want to now

Well done 49er
My mate was the only one of our summer team to enter it. he finished in 1hr39mins.

Skills guiding – the obsticles and water come after the country miles run shown in the pictures

As for those saying its all about bragging rights – yes perhaps it is, but its only the same as mayhem or SITS – its just a test of endurance and will. Plus you won't meet a nicer bunch of people (apart from MTBers) 😉

I think the key thing is routine.

+1
Prob wouldn't leave a young dog in for long periods of time on thier own. But our old dog (she died 6months ago) used to have a walk before we went work – then we would be out for no more than 7-8hrs – then a walk at 18.00hrs in the afternoon.

Even if I got back early for work she wouldn't bother to get up because she knew it wasn't either tea time or walk time – she would lift he head up, wag her tail, have a fuss, then go back to sleep 🙂

No worries – just prefer my proper name over my user name. Not going to have a strop over it thats for sure

Rossignol Bandit SC80's

Sees some good reviews of them. Just back from skiing in the Alps and the local (Alpe D'huez) were all using these.

I'm using some K2 Silencers – There more for the park but I've had two weeks of park, piste and off piste and i'm more than happy with them – plus I got them new for £170 😀

Boots – Get the ones that fit the best.

This is Jess. She died last year aged 13 year (ish) My Fiancee got her from a rescue home aged 2 years before we met. I had the pleasure of knowing her (and telling her off) for 7 years.
She was totally nuts, but totally ace

In the day get on the underground. Get a ticket, take a ride, check out the station architecture – great communist stuff.

Not sure about the evening – we went to the GQ bar nr red square, good atmosphere, but it was very expensive!!!!!!!!!! Really only went because it was next to the hotel and saw it in a magazine as a place to go. My other night there was a company meal, not sure of the location

We did benifit from having a guide – however my company provided one who only spoke german – she tried to make me understand what she was saying by speaking german slowly and loudly – still didn't understand a work she was saying!

What are the rules of a velodrome then? Is it the kind of place you can just turn up to? or is it best to join a club and get some tips/instruction on how to ride?

Coheed and Cambria

I've never riden in a velodrome, but if the Derby on gets built its something I would like to do – and I get to buy a new bike! 😆

+1 for Tignes. Was there last year, great ski area.

TBH Never had a problem with drag lifts on a board or skis. Yes they arn't the best way to get up a hill (and worse when skiers have put two narrow tracks in them), but I wouldn't base my resort on the number of drag lifts.

Montgenevre is good as mentioned above, a lot cheaper than Tignes, but to link up the rest of the milky way is a hastle. Need to go quick to get across to sauze and do some runs over there and get back.

Also try Saalbach in Austria. The Ski Circus there is good, although I must admit I find Austria hotels far better than france or Italian ones.

EDIT -also like the La Plange/Les Arc area also!

Just got back from a ride. Yep hard work, but great fun!! 😆
We made the ride shorter than normal and it still took 1.5hrs.

Everyone came off once – the virgin snow is grippy but where it has been compressed it was solid ice.

Still as above – great fun

Poorly built snowman – at least he is being safe

Certain LBS's take note??!!

I 've used it

I traded in a Cannondale prophet (800) against my Trek Remedy.
Only got £300 for the prophet, but it was 21/2 year old, never been serviced, the rear hub was making some funny noises, and it was basically the stock bike. Also new prophets (with pikes) were going for £1000 new so wouldn't have got much more for it.

The work i would have need to do to sell it on the bay wouldn't have been worth the effort (not sure how much a lefty service is but it wasn't very plush in the end)

Picked up the Trek last year in the sale, and go 0% finance over the year. so worked out well in the end

Duane

You haven't said where you will be boarding – Indoor snow centre, Scotland, Alpes, N America/Canada? and also the time of year – now (cold) March (spring conditions (although not always!))

Will have bearing on what you will need to keep you warm and dry. Also if away in march – ski shops will have sales on by then
On the gloves note – Waterproof and Breathable. If your hands get wet, they will get cold and you will stop enjoying the day. (TK maxx had some Level gloves in stock at the start of the season – been using level gloves for a few years now with no complaints)

Had a lefty on my old prophet – 2 years without a service and no probs.
Had a set of magura asgards on a XTC for 3 years with no service – still plush when I sold the bike (told the buyer no service had been done)

However, I not have a set of Lyrics and I going toget them serviced after winter. They are performing well, but with the cost of a new set of lyrics at around £700 it seems like a good idea.

I asked this last time this was discussed so I'll do it again: what is the minimum amount of time you would pull into the left lane for?

I don't think anyone has a problem with people who overtake in the middle lane and then stay there because they will be overtaking something in the next 30 seconds or so

The ones that do my head in are the ones in the middle lane when the left lane is clear of traffic. I mean totally clear of traffic. The main time to see this are early weekend mornings, 65mph in the middle lane – suppose they think its the safest place to be??

Also on 2 lane motorways they sometimes stay in the outside lane. Nothing on the inside for miles – they just seem to like it.

Rant over

+1 for Rob's statement

Also been out this morning – I was the only one who held back on the shandies last night and glad I did – Perfect weather sunny and very cold with fast local trails! And I found some new jumps and drops with abit of exploring!!

dont get me started on mobile phones….. have had 2 incidents of **** on phones not even stopping at roundabouts this week…just glad i was on the ball and watching their approach !!

Saw a bloke taransporting his wife, 4 kids in the back of the car whilst smoking and on his mobile – poor kids, if the don't die in a car accident they will die from the effects of passive smoking 😕

There has been some great middle laners out over x-mas! Got called to work on x-mas day, Stoke to Brum on the M6, Must have passed 10 by going from inside lane to middle lane to outside lane the back to the normal driving lane.
Got tired of doing this so just went past them in the left lane – its wrong but I wasn't speeding and I was obviously more aware of my surroundings than the person in the middle lane

Capital punishment is not really acceptable in a modern civilised society in my opinion.

Some people don't fit into civilised society.

I think people would think it was less cool to carry a weapon and possibly kill other people if it meant a harsh outcome.

The punishments at the moment are soft – and certain people know how to get round the law. Toughen the ting up I say

If the family were concerned then surly he would have assessed by someone before the drug traffic offence – pleading he is mentaly ill when he has been arrested is abit late.

The guy has been caught and been delt with as per the law of the country (all be it an oppresive country) – Learning point don't take drugs to china.

Nike ACG stuff
Got a softshell and a Gore tex snowboard jacket by them – look good and they last well.

They also appear on M and M's site as mentioned above

I currently have 2 561's and 2 591's on top of my car.
I bought the 561's first and then added the 591's after a friend had some for sale.

Personally I would go for the 591 over the fork mounted version. When I have 4 bikes on the roof, I find having 2 wheels in the boot with all our stuff a pain – even when they are in a wheel bag.

The 20mm adaptor (as mentioned above) isn't great. Its just an ali tube the means the bike can't be locked to the rack. Also changing back to standard QR is also a pain to keep doing.

That said, the 561 is slightly more secure when traveling, but if I was buying again I would have got 4 591's.

Have a look at this site – http://www.roofbox.co.uk/scripts/rbvehsel4_tab.php/car-accessories/thule_outride_fork_mounted_bike_carrier_no_561/njNA_vVotxD7.l.%2CneRMHQToUJPLhGdzP1%606%7DzKd

I got great service and a free wheel bag

EDIT – as above again. There is no 15mm adaptor for the 561. I think CRC do one but you would need to look into it

I to will be on call tomorrow.
Work for a DNO, so if there are any faults on the distribution system then I will get called out.

Only on call as I don't like xmas very much and the money is good = snowboarding holiday money sorted

As above – Handbrake turns, then a j turn, then grit it – post pics of the J turn results

Great picture from up there – I wonder how many motorbikers will be up there today??

TBH – if your not happy doing the connection work. Get the cable and install it undergroundand leave the rest for a qualified spark – don't want your shed (or house) burning down! 😳

We've just decided to stay local now. Our local trails will be nice and fast
Im less worried about ice on the bike, more worried about the state of the roads for the car. – was nearly sideways in Brum yesterday,

We were over there early this year in this sort of weather and while we had a lot of fun – there were a few offs due to hitting ice, no injuries luckily, but im off skiing soon. so don't want to ruin a holiday

British Leyland. A valid case in point.

Yep – I was going to bring up the Rover. Was in Longbridge today – the factory is long gone

Surly striking (or trying to strike) in a sector where the public can make a choice and go else where is shooting yourself in the foot.

We have just (today) book our honeymoon flights. I have paid extra NOT to fly with BA. If other people decide not to fly BA then I can't see BA increasing wages/and or improving conditions – more like cutting flights and jobs.

Thats roughly the route we will be taking tomoz. I remember last time the weather was like this, the first descent after riding out of macc forest past the transmitter was sheet ice part of the way down.

Its guide yourself. I know there is/was some unofficial trails through the woods but not sure if they are still there.

We start and finish in Macc Forest and will prob have a pint (or something warmer) at the cat and fiddle